Why Is My Bill So High?

For many customers, the first clue that they have a water leak comes when they receive a high bill.

Leaky faucets can waste thousands of gallons of water each year, like money down the drain. Toilet leaks can be even costlier-and most are easy to fix. Learn more in our new publication titled, “Why is My Water Bill So High?"

If your water bill seems high, there may be a leak.
To figure out if you've got one, you'll need to do a little investigation. If you have a leak, we'll tell you how to locate it and what to do about it. Plus, we'll give you some tips about how to lower your bill whether you have a leak or not.

How to read your meterStep one in tracking down a leak is to read your meter. First, make sure there’s no water running—that includes the washing machine, dishwasher and sprinkler—then check your meter. The meter is usually located in front of the house near the curb or sidewalk. (If you can’t find it, please contact us.) If the dial on the meter is moving, you’ve got an obvious leak.

Even if you can’t see the dial moving, you could still have a small, slow leak. To check, write down the number on the meter before you go to bed. Then, before anyone uses water in the morning, check the number again. If it’s different, you’ve got a water leak.

Sources of the leak may be:

Stopper Flap
This should fit tightly over the hole in the bottom of the tank. If it doesn’t, water will constantly run. Buy a new stopper flap and replace, making sure it fits snugly.

The Float
The float is the ball that rises as water fills the tank. If the tank is full but your water keeps running, pull up on the float. If the water stops running, you need to adjust the float. Gently bend down the float arm, but take care not to break it. (Note: In some tanks, the float is on the shaft of the inlet. You can’t bend those down.)

Inlet Valve
This lets water into the tank when you flush. If you hear a hiss or a squeal, that means water is still running. Try adjusting the float lower, so the valve shuts off sooner. If that doesn’t work, replace the valve. Remove it and take it with you to the store to ensure you get the right one. But be sure to shut off the water at the wall and flush the toilet first.